Grant Writer (Full-time)

California State University, Chico; Chico (CA); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

Chico State Enterprises is seeking a highly motivated part-time grant writer to secure competitive funding for regenerative agriculture and related work in California. You will work with the director, faculty, and partners to identify opportunities, develop proposals, and manage post-award reporting.

The role requires strong writing, editing, research, and project management skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into accessible narratives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred.
• Three or more years of successful grant writing experience.
• Experience with higher education, nonprofit organizations, or public agencies preferred.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify funding opportunities from federal, state, foundation, and private-sector sources.
• Develop compelling grant proposals, concept papers, letters of inquiry, and funding applications.
• Coordinate proposal development among faculty, researchers, project partners, and university administration.
• Prepare project narratives, budgets, work plans, timelines, logic models, and supporting documentation.
• Gather and synthesize technical information into clear, persuasive proposals for diverse audiences.
• Ensure proposals meet sponsor requirements, deadlines, and university compliance policies.
• Maintain a grant opportunity calendar and proposal pipeline.
• Assist with post-award reporting, progress updates, and impact reporting.
• Develop and maintain relationships with funding agencies and philanthropic organizations.
• Support strategic fundraising initiatives aligned with CRARS’ priorities.

Skills

Grant writing

Budget development

Proposal management

Editing

Research

Time management

MS Office

Google Workspace

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Agriculture/ecological sciences degree a plus

Tools

Grant management platforms

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Office Hours

8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Monday–Friday

Mailing Address

Chico State Enterprises
25 Main Street, Suite 203
Chico, CA 95928-5388

STATUS:

Part-Time / Non-Benefitted / Hourly / Non-Exempt

COMPENSATION:

$35.00 - $38.00 per hour

DEPARTMENT:

Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems (CRARS)

LOCATION:

Chico State Campus. This is a hybrid work environment that is eligible for partial telecommuting and requires approximately 50% of the time spent in the office.

RECRUITMENT ID

482

RESIDENCY

Candidate must be a California resident. Chico State Enterprises is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e., H-1B Visas).

The Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems (CRARS) at California State University, Chico advances research, education, technical assistance, and workforce development that support regenerative agriculture and resilient food systems. Working with farmers, ranchers, government agencies, nonprofits, Tribal communities, and industry partners, CRARS develops science-based solutions that improve soil health, water resilience, biodiversity, climate adaptation, and agricultural profitability across California.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems (CRARS) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced part-time grant writer to help secure competitive funding that advances regenerative agriculture, climate resilience, agricultural education, workforce development, and applied research throughout California. The grant writer will work closely with the director, associate director, faculty, technical assistance staff, and external partners to identify funding opportunities, develop competitive proposals, coordinate proposal development, and support post-award reporting. This position plays a critical role in expanding CRARS’ portfolio of grants and contracts while helping build long-term partnerships with government agencies, foundations, industry, and nonprofit organizations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Research and identify funding opportunities from federal, state, foundation, and private-sector sources.
• Develop compelling, competitive grant proposals, concept papers, letters of inquiry, and funding applications.
• Coordinate proposal development among faculty, researchers, project partners, and university administration.
• Prepare project narratives, budgets, work plans, timelines, logic models, and supporting documentation.
• Gather and synthesize technical information into clear, persuasive proposals for diverse audiences.
• Ensure proposals meet sponsor requirements, deadlines, and university compliance policies.
• Maintain a grant opportunity calendar and proposal pipeline.
• Assist with post-award reporting, progress updates, and impact reporting.
• Develop and maintain relationships with funding agencies, philanthropic organizations, and collaborative partners.
• Support strategic fundraising initiatives that align with CRARS’ mission and long-term priorities.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

• Strong writing, editing, storytelling, research, and project management skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to translate complex scientific and technical information into accessible proposal narratives.
• Budget development and project planning experience.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and grant management platforms.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred. A degree in agriculture or ecological sciences is a plus.
• Three or more years of successful grant writing experience.
• Demonstrated record of securing competitive grants.
• Experience with higher education, nonprofit organizations, or public agencies preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple proposals and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong computer skills, including experience with proposal management systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Familiarity with regenerative agriculture, climate-smart agriculture, natural resources, sustainability, workforce development, local food systems, or agricultural research is highly desirable.
• Experience writing proposals for organizations such:
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) including NIFA, NRCS, AMS, FSA, AFRI programs
  • California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
  • California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA)
  • California Department of Conservation (DOC)
  • California Air Resources Board (CARB)
  • U.S. Department of Energy
  • National Science Foundation (NSF)
  • Foundations supporting agriculture, climate, conservation, education, and rural communities

BENEFITS:

• Accrued Sick Leave (1 hour sick for every 30 hours worked)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Chico State Enterprises provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. It is Chico State Enterprises’ policy to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to workin the United States. All new employees must provide proof of identity and authorization to work.